Plymouth people divided as passengers complain about new bus shelter

PlymouthLive readers have been discussing the news that in Plympton residents are claiming that a new bus shelter fails to shield them from the elements. The new shelter, located on Glen Road close to Edwards Drive and Bellingham Crescent, is said to provide inadequate cover from wind and rain.

Passengers complain that the brief canopy and minimal side panels offer very little protection, particularly when spray from passing lorries hits them. A regular at the Glen Road bus stops, Jillian Oxley expressed her dissatisfaction, stating: "Myself and others were happy with the previous shelters, and now the new shelters barely keep us dry."

In support of local concerns, Plympton Chaddlewood Councillor Ian Poyser of the Green Party declared: "Our community deserves functional and comfortable bus shelters, especially in high-traffic areas like Glen Road where we have high volumes of HGV traffic."

Meanwhile, a Plymouth City Council representative responded: "Councillor Poyser has already been in touch with our public transport team about his concerns and they have responded. The previous bus shelters near Edwards Drive and Bellingham Crescent were also open-fronted so we would suggest that waiting passengers are no more affected by spray from passing lorries now than they were before."

Commenter Sloopdog1 says: “Bus stops across the city are inadequate just like the service, but what more do you expect? This is Plymouth where nothing works and travel is slow.”

AJGreen points out: “For better shelters, read higher fares. Where is the balance?”

Camoxide agrees: “It's just a change of contract, doesn't cost the Council anything. The Council doesn't own the shelters. The old shelters were owned by Jcdecaux, the new ones are owned by Clear Channel. They provide the shelters free of charge in return for the advertising revenue.”

Hoewalker thinks: “I have a bus pass. I worked for 50 years and caught a bus to and from work every day, so I think as a pensioner I deserve a free pass, I've paid my dues. I don't get anything else for free. So having said that I do think that I'm entitled to a good bus shelter.”

Sunshine51 is frustrated: “Another great investment by the Council. Replacing perfectly fine bus shelters with useless ones.”

Hijinx writes: “I’ve got to agree with the residents, I regularly catch a bus but the bus shelters are open at each end, it’s cold, windy and sometimes really wet.”

Doct replies: “Good to see that 'entitlement' isn't confined to the younger generations! When all is said and done, these shelters are better than standing in the open, fully exposed to the elements. Isn't 'some' protection better than none at all? The old shelters may have been better or more effective, but the company that owns/manages them needs to maximise their profits... and that can't be done by wasting money on unnecessary sides! I know that is a cynical response, but it is the bottom line... and the shelters only provide 'shelter' as a by-product of their advertising function.”

Osten Sibly thinks: “Stop the public subsidy for all bus services now, if it’s not financially viable then do away with the route. Big and mostly empty buses going to and from the city centre day and night, polluting the environment just so that the subsidised few get a free trip into town every now and then. Going by the article photo, it would make more sense for Age Concern to be running the bus service in Plymouth rather than city bus.”

Stratobuddy adds: “They are lucky to have a shelter at all. The one I used most, that even had 4 seats, has been removed and will never be replaced, thanks to PCC.”

Rickers2 remembers: “We had a perfectly good shelter at top junction Foulston/Barn/Poole Park Roads with one end enclosed end to protect you from the elements, it is on high ground in an windswept exposed location with driving westerly winds and rain coming over the Tamer Valley. Lo and behold it was removed and never replaced, people are now regularly soaking wet huddling, waiting for the bus. It's not just about numbers, sadly no one was ever involved in seeing what effect the removal of this shelter has had.”

Lsam6 adds: “Doesn’t encourage people to use buses.”

How do you feel about the bus shelters? Are you concerned about waiting for a bus in the rain? Have your say in our comments section.